Epidermal stimulation to enhance hair follicle formation

Abstract

The present invention features a method for improving the efficiency of hair formation by follicular cell implantation. The method includes the use of epidermal stimulation (ES) to stimulate keratinocytes in a subject's skin in order to make them more receptive to hair inductive signals originating from implanted follicular cells (e.g. dermal papilla cells, dermal sheath cells, and/or outer root sheath cells).

1 . A method for enhancing hair follicle formation by follicular cells when implanted in an outer skin surface of a recipient, the method comprising removing keratinocytes from the outer skin surface of the recipient by epidermal stimulation (ES) and, prior to or after the ES, implanting the follicular cells under the outer skin surface of the recipient. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ES is carried out before implantation. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ES is carried out after implantation. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ES is achieved by tape stripping using an adhesive tape for removal of keratinocytes from the outer skin surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the follicular cells comprise dermal papilla (DP) cells. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the follicular cells comprise dermal sheath (DS) cells 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the follicular cells comprise outer root sheath (ORS) cells. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the follicular cells comprise a mixture of follicular cells selected from the group consisting of: dermal papilla (DP) cells, dermal sheath (DS) cells, and outer root sheath (ORS) cells. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the follicular cells comprise keratinocytes. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ES is achieved by dermabrasion. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ES is achieved by chemical peeling. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ES is achieved by wounding. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is a cosmetic treatment. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is a medical treatment. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the follicular cells are implanted using a controlled delivery device. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled)